Kingsmeadow Community Flat is the hub of the community, improving residents' lives through access to local services, support, information, activities and learning opportunities in an informal, non-threatening environment - providing local solutions for local needs.
To find out more about Kingsmeadow Community Flat and its activities, visit www.kingsmeadowflat.org.uk
How to contact Kingsmeadow Community Flat
For more information, please drop in or get in touch:
Kingsmeadow Community Flat
19 Barrington Close, Bristol, BS15 4QD
Tel: 0117 904 8425
Email:
Jobseekers Work Club
There's a new Work Club where jobseekers can get advice and support on finding work.
The Work Club gives local people the chance to meet others looking for work, build new contacts, share job hunting experiences and get advice on interview techniques, and CVs.
Working with Chase & Kingsforest Community Project it will also provide volunteering opportunities.
Karen Brasier of Soundwell Community Trust, who is setting up the Work Club said: "Research shows that the best way to find another job is through friends, family or social networks, which is why it is so vital to have a Work Club in this area. During every session we will help people to look for work by swapping ideas and talking to guest speakers, including people from local businesses, about opportunities in the area."
The Work Club meets on Mondays 10am-1pm at The Hub Community Flat, Kingsmeadow. If you would like to find out more information, please contact Karen Brasier on 07905 598165.
The Friendship Club - Health Living for the More Mature
Di Block, Chair of Kingsmeadow Community Flat has raised £2,000, thanks to Merlin's local Forum group who voted "The Friendship Club" a great idea.
The club would love more people to join! Perhaps you have a friend or relative who would benefit from an enjoyable 2 hours...
It offers gentle exercise, fun activities, tea and coffee and new friends - all for £2 a session, with the first session free.
The club is based at The Haven (off Lees Road, Kingswood), and meets every Thursday 1.15-2.45pm.
Please phone first to ask any questions or have a friendly chat: Brian Gardner 01454 862296, Diane Block 0117 961 3055 or Spencer Davies 07825 155954.
As a Senior Citizen, providing they live within a 6 mile radius of Kingswood, they can book the Kingswood Community Bus free.
A Community Christmas
With thanks to Guinness, our young people enjoyed the Mosaic sessions with Tutor Joanna Dewfall.
Training was organised for our volunteers to make Christmas wreaths. Diane collected loads of greenery, cones glitter glue & oasis for everyone to have a blast making a Christmas table design. Ceri brought in little robins and butterflies to enhance the displays.
Cakes were baked for the Senior Citizens at Holy Trinity Church Luncheon Club.
Our Christmas party held at Made for Ever Youth Club was loads of fun, party games dancing and a variety of food. The hamper was won by Josh Gingell. His mother rang to say thank you, she was thrilled.
Without our volunteers we could not have had such a success. We can now boast 17 volunteers ready and willing to train.
We celebrated Christmas at the Community flat. We were given a Christmas tree to decorate from Andy at Holy Trinity Church. We were also joined by the congregation of St.Stephens Church and the Salvation Army.
One could smell the hot chocolate and know here would be mince pies.
England never fails to disappoint and as we congregated ready to celebrate the joys of Christmas the sky opened with torrential rain, ensuring that we sang indoors.
Jane served up hot chocolate while the children handed out mince pies. The atmosphere was fantastic as we sang "Silent night, Holy night" in unison, followed by “When Santa got stuck up the Chimney”.
Three cheers to everyone who made it a success! It will be a night to remember for a long time.
NHS Grant Helps Make Young People’s Idea a Reality
Thanks to Steph Bengry-Howell, who completed an application for an NHS South Gloucestershire Local Grant, we received funding to ensure exciting activities took place last Summer.
“Come Dine with Us” was a huge success. Paris and Martina were partners on one team; Nicole and Megan on the other.
Both teams were given a £75.00 budget per pair. Their challenge was to plan a menu, organise a first and second course, shop for the goodies and cook and wait on the young Dreamschemers.
It was an amazing success. Nineteen eager young people took their seats admiring a sparkling table prepared by Paris and Martina, who had chosen Fajita followed by Chocolate Brownie.
Cooked to perfection, children eagerly cleared the lot. Nicole and Megan followed suit, their table laid to perfection, while sixteen hungry youngsters waited patiently for the meal, not a morsel left on the plates.
Their meal was rounded off with strawberries dipped in chocolate. Mmmm… the young people scored each meal, and it was a draw!!!
Kingsmeadow Community Flat takes First Prize at the 2011 Safer and Stronger Community Awards
The photograph show Di Block, Frazer, "Kevin and Vishal" Knightstone representatives and the Chair to South Gloucestershire Council at the presentation at the University of the West of England.The Safer and Stronger Community Awards celebrate everyone in South Gloucestershire who has helped tackle Anti-Social Behaviour and keep communities safe.
Ceri Naylor Community Project Worker, Diane Block, Chair, a teenager volunteer, Frazer Parry-Jones and the Kingsmeadow Flat Management Committee were acknowledged for all their hard work, when they won a Community Award at this year’s event. Always in the background, our committee members work hard to keep the project on track; Ceri Naylor was instrumental in networking and here in South Gloucestershire we have some magical committed people.
Our success was due to Dreamscheme: Work – points – rewards. The idea was introduced to us by Knightstone Housing. It opened up an exciting challenge to everyone involved at the flat, ensuring that every holiday we engage with residents and children aged from 6–16.
We engaged with wonderful groups, who have chosen a variety of ways to work with local people, adding to the success of the project. I.e. Wildways gardening; Rev Andy Mason and his luncheon club for the Senior Citizens – our young teenagers learned the skills of cake making and every Wednesday baked and delivered mouth-watering muffins. Julie Lovelock from Made for Ever Youth Club introduced Street Dancing, climbing and football skills. Grimsbury Farm, who introduced the young ones to animal cleaning and care, and encouraged the after school club to re-enact the Christmas Story. Kingswood Library who delivered wonderful reading books and a reading challenge competition. Avon Wildlife Trust contributed by introducing our young people to crafts and singing. Kev Rudd from Knightstone, who helped organise Rubbish Days, Fay Morgan from Guinness who supported Art and Craft activities and arranged for a Mosaic artist to work with our young people. Every committed group and importantly, our Community Police and The Fire Brigade are important to us at Dreamscheme to build and maintain mutual respect.
During the School holidays the young people were introduced to a variety of skills – Young people are given opportunities to carry out work-based projects and are rewarded with trips and activities of their choice. The work experience enables great opportunities to increase skills and educational attainment, develop cross-generational relationships within the community, leading to improved community cohesion. The Rubbish Squad raised the profile of the area externally – reducing misunderstandings and negative perceptions about the area. The concept Respect – Rewards we feel is hugely beneficial and should be organised every holiday be it through community groups, churches or youth groups. We would welcome any group who wishes to discuss the idea to ring us.
We are always looking for volunteers to join us, either as a committee member, or to help during the holidays. It is never boring and times surely fly when you’re having fun. To speak to us, ring Diane Block 0117 9098275.
A Volunteer's Journey Year 2010-2011 - Kingsfield Lad Fraser Parry Jones, from Diane Block, Chair
"I received an email response to an advert placed in MyKingswood.co.uk, a website keeping people in the know about happenings and events in Kingswood.
I had asked for volunteers and a teenage miracle joined Kingswood Community Flat - Fraser Parry Jones. This year he won two certificates - one from Vinvolved 'Young Bristol' for his commitment, and a certificate for being a star here at the flat.
He was brilliant with IT, fact-finding, poster design, and moving heavy furniture. He worked with Ceri Naylor, Project Worker Kev Rudd, Knightstone and myself planning for the school holidays' rubbish events and much more.
Frazer “Pudsey” planned the day encouraged the kids to think healthy, they raised £160 running around the estate – He ensured all paperwork was signed by parents.
He listened to idea’s suggested by young people – He helped with after-school club – never argued, always smiled and in his quiet manner got on with the weeks challenge.
Julie Lovelock gave Frazer permission to decorate Made-for-ever Youth Club- the décor fantastic & Fraser the DJ yet another skill, it was a hoot.
What a remarkable young man."
Children’s Parties
Need somewhere to hold your child's birthday party? Why not use Kingsmeadow Community Flat?
There is a small fee to cover room hire and setting up/clearing away, and Bouncy castle Hire is available - visit or phone 0117 909 8275.
After School Club
Kingsmeadow Flat currently run a local play scheme (Afterschool club) every Tuesday (4.30–6.30pm).
we are in urgent need of volunteers to give just 2 hours a week/fortnight/month - to help run a lively group of 7-11 year olds providing free play and activities including Arts ‘n’ Crafts, Cookery, Sports, Gardening and Education.
If you think you can help or want to find out more please call us on 07771 985380 or 07943 972302.
Library books at the flat
Come and browse through out selection of quick reads - authors such as Justin Richards (Dr Who stories), Andy McNab, Rolf Harris and Peter James are some of the highly recommended books available for you to borrow.
See the events calendar for details of free story-telling and nursery rhymes sessions at Kingsmeadow Flat for toddlers and little ones. Just turn up and squeeze in...
Rubbish Squad
The squad is a success, thanks to Chris Ray who organises the Rubbish Squad meetings, ensuring the Estate is well maintained by Knightstone, Merlin Housing and South Gloucestershire Council, with input from local residents.
There are now mini-recycling facilities on the estate and the Rubbish Squad will be working to encourage everyone to use them. This is a long term project, but the really attractive setting of the estate should be a benefit that everyone can share.
Meetings are held every four weeks at the Community flat. Dates and times can be found at Pound Road Shop and on the notice board.
The Dreamscheme
The Flat needs volunteers for Dreamscheme to ensure the children have a great work and reward programme.
Why not pop along and have a coffee? We are open to ideas and the flat has a cosy feel to it - no pressure.
Organisers are teaming Dreamscheme with the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, already a success at Made for Ever Youth Club, to ensure the young teenagers have accreditation for their work.
